USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 83
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Conrad Snyder, Sr., was fond of hunting, and made some money by following it. Ho at first lived near Mnddy Creek, and, while residing there, one day he heard a hog squealing in a swamp or marsh formed by the overflow from a beaverdam. Taking his gun and creeping slowly along, parting the long weeds and tall grass as he went, ho at length canght sight of the hog, and found, as he had anticipated, that a bear was trying to kill it. Mr. Snyder did not dare to fire, fearing that he might kill the hog. But presently he happened to make some noise which attracted the bear's attention; the animal rushed at him; Mr. Snyder fired and retreated as rapidly as possibly. Returning after a little he found the bear dead. Mr. Snyder succeeded remarkably well in gathering property. As a result of industry and wise management, he was at one time the owner of two thousand acres of land. Ho gave each of his children a farm.
When the Snyder family settled, they had few neighbors. Daniel Carter. a brother-in-law of Con rad Snyder, had come out a year or two before. The
*Hlin decendants vary in their statements of the time of b'ssettlement, wann placing it m 17 !..
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Thompsons were the nearest neighbors in one direc- tion. Andrew Allsworth, a Revolutionary pensioner. came soon after and lived where John Snyder now resides. Ho moved away carly.
Conrad Snyder kept a house of entertainment on the Franklin road a number of years. His son John has a vivid recollection of pioneer days. He in herited his father's fondness for hunting, and the record of his experiences would make an interesting volume.
John Hockenberry came from Eastern Pennsylva- nia with his family about the year 1804. He died in the neighborhood where he first settled, in the ninety- ninth year of his age. Names of his children: John, Caspar, Joseph, Jonathan, Betsey (Buchanan), Jane (McCandless), Anna (Woolum), and Ellen Graham, Caspar married Margaret Shaffer, He died in Worth Township. Six of his children are living in this county.
Enoch Smith, an early settler in the Covert neigh- borhood, lived largely by hunting. He and John Covert were once encamped near the creek at night, watching for deer at a point where they had scattered salt. Covert lay down on a couch in the camp to take a little rest, and had fallen almost asleep, when feel- ing something under him, he arose, got a light, and discovered an enormous rattlesnake coiled up snugly in his bed. Smith resided where he settled until game became searce, then moved to Lawrence County.
Robert Glenn, from Center County, Penn., settled in 1810 on the farm where his grandson Robert F., now lives. He came out ISOS, and purchased two pieces of land, and in 1810 moved his family with a wagon and four horses; Mrs. Glenn rode on a fifth horse. Soon after he settled here, Mr. Glenn saw that the settlers were much in need of a blacksmith's services, and accordingly he induced a man named John Emery to come and establish a shop. Emery worked many years, and Andrew Glenn learned the trade from him and continued the business after- ward. The children of Robert and Martha Glenn were John (a soklier of 1812), Mary (Giltillan), Andrew, Catharine (Humphrey), Robert, Margaret (Christy), William and Archibald.
Archibald, Lawrence County, is the only survivor. Andrew married Ann Akin, daughter of Robert Akin, and reared three sons and three daughters. Ho and John lived upon the old homestead.
John Ralston settled where Croll's mill is, and built a small log mill quite early. His children were William, James, John, Samuel, David, George, Ellen, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary and Susan.
Daniel Graham, Esq., son of Patrick Graham, of Jefferson Township, settled on Muddy Creek in 1534 on the old Laffer farm. He died in 1880, aged
eighty-four years. His son, Daniel K., lives in the east- ern part of this township, and is engaged in farming, coal mining, bre culture, etc.
The farm now owned by T. S. Beatty was settled by William Graham, and afterward owned by Josse Cornelius, then by Joseph Dougherty, from whom Mr. Beatty purchased.
L. H. Lilly came from Crawford County in 1867. and settled on a part of the Wigton farm.
S. Fisher settled upon his present farm in 1860. The place was settled by James Campbell, and later owned by Henry Campbell, Wiek, Badger and others.
George Gibson came from Ireland to this county in 1865, and has lived in this township for the last ten years.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Brady Township - 1851, Benjamin Grossman; 1854. Ambrose Alexander; 1859, Benjamin Grossman; 1860, Daniel Graham; 1864. Benjamin Grossman; 1865, John G. MeClymonds; 1868, Robert Dickson; 1868, Josiah M. Thompson; 1870, Benjamin Gross man: 1873. Matthias Moyer; 1876, J. C. Snyder; 1878, Matthias Moyer; ISS1, John Allen; 1882, Josi- ah M. Thompson.
THE OLD STONE HOUSE.
In a secluded spot, at the junction of the old turnpike and the Franklin road, stands the Old Stone House. Looking upon it now, no one would ever dream that it was once a place of general resort and noted far and wide. The marks of neglect are upon it. Nothing remains to tell of its former bustle and activity. Yet the Stone House has a history. The land on which it stands was taken up by the Dong- lases, who came to this county in 1799, and erected a house of hewed logs. John Elliott came a few years later, the Douglases having found another lo cation. He opened a house of entertainment, and kept it until 1812. Then John Brown -" John Brown of Oliver"-he called himself in distinction from countless other John Browns that came from east of the mountains. He kept tavern in the log honse through the war, and some years thereafter. About 1822, he built the Stone House. The Browns failed to pay for the property, and it reverted to the Collins estate, to which the land belonged, and came into the hands of Mrs. McLure, daughter of Mrs. Collins, Among those who kept tavern after Brown, renting the prop- erty from her, were Turner, Suttiff, Campbell, Purvi- ance, Price, Halting. Hawn, Richard Doncaster and Joseph MeCannon.
The Stone House was the place of exchange for passengers on the routes to Mercer and Franklin, and was much frequented by lumbermen who passed it on their way northward, as well as by stage passengers.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
The old house was thronged by customers in theso days, and the "sound of revelry by night " was some times heard within its walls. But by degrees the old hostelry acquired a bad name Belated travelers disliked to go thither after dark, and rather than pass through the lonely woods leading to it, songht lodg- ings at farmhouses along the road Two rival hotels sprang up in the same neighborhood, and cach did a good business. The Forest House (on the Butler & Mercer Turnpike) built in 1833 by Robert Thompson. was kept as a hotel until about 1851. Norbit Foltz also kept tavern between the Forest House and the Stone House. Stories of robberies, and of the mys- terions disappearance of guests at the Stone House got abroad, frightening timid travelers so that they no longer patronized the old tavern. The people who kopt the house were not at fault. but they were pow erless to stop the spread of damaging rumors. There is no evidence that any of the frightful stories once current concerning the Stone House had any founda- tion in fact. Whenee, then, did they arise?
The explanation is easy. A band of counterfeit- er's had taken up their abode in the neighborhood. In time the Stone House became their favorite resort. A number of strangers, as well as some residents of the neighborhood, were supposed to be implicated. A young man named Julius C. Holliday came from Obio. married here, and settled not far from the Stone House. He soon came to be looked upon as the acknowledged leader of the secret doings. He was well edneated, shrewd, and in his dealings with his neighbors, straightforward and honest. He held some township offices and was for some years a mem- ber of the school board. But notwithstanding these facts, he was more than suspected of being one of the leading spirits among the counterfeiters. He was arrested and tried once or twice for playing the "box game," but so shrewdly had ho acquitted himself that sufficient evidence to conviet him could not be produced. He died here, and, somewhat remarkable to relate, every one of his five or six children died of diphtheria, within a period of a few weeks, a short time after. Whether he was actually engaged in the manufacture of spurions coin, or ever pursued the business of selling alleged counterfeit money. no one can determine. But that counterfeit silver was made and circulated by some of the frognenters of the Stone House, no one doubts. The business opera- tions extended over a period of many years. After Holliday's death, two of the gang were arrested, tried, convicted and sent to the penitentiary.
During the time that Doncaster was landlord of the Stone House, strangers, to the number of twenty or more, came to board with him. They were, to all appearances. gentlemen, but they seemed to have no
business of any kind, and suspicion was aronsed against them in consequence. They conducted them- selves in an orderly manner, but kopt their names and their residences a secret. They spent a good deal of their time in hunting and other kinds of amusement Before the citizens, they never called each other by their proper names, but in conversation addressed one another as " Colonel," " Major," " Bob." " Diek," ote. Doncaster knew that his house was getting a bad name from being the stopping place of the supposed counterfeiters. He went to Butler and sought legal advice as to whether he ought to keep his boarders or turn them away. He was advised that it was his duty, as landlord of a public house, to board them so long as they gave no offense and paid their bills regularly.
After Holliday's death, the counterfeiters either did not manage their business so shrewdly. or else more vigilance was exercised toward them. until at last, after the conviction of two of the number, the making of spurious coin was entirely stopped and lins never been resumed.
One William Turk, a resident of the neighbor- hood. mysteriously disappeared some years ago. This circumstance, no doubt, gave color to many of the stories so long current concerning the Stone House. Turk bad formerly been a stage driver. He was a man of drinking habits. The last time'he was over seen by his neighbors was on the evening of a Fourth of July, at a celebration held at the Forest House. Many suppose him to have been fondly dealt with by some of the counterfeiters, who feared that he would reveal some of their secrets.
The foregoing are the facts concerning the Stone House and some of its freqnonters. To relate the fictions, once believ -d by many. would till a volume.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This is the oldlest religions organization in West Liberty. It was formed. about 1815, by Revs. Bryan and Gallagher. Among the first members were John Covert. Jacob Covert. Jesse Cornelius and John Wick. The first meeting was held in John Wick's barn. Joseph Bowman preached for this congregation some years. then went to the army, and again resmed his work on his return. Sammel Bowman was the next preacher. ant F. W. Silvins the last. The congrega- tion was always small, and very few members now romain. The house was erected about twenty five years ago, and was used by all denominations until other churches were built.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
During the war. Rev. A. H. Waters, of Prospect, preached at intervals in the Cumberland Presbyterian
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTV.
Church. Rev. S. H. Swingle was the next Lutheran preacher in the place. In May, 1575, at a meeting held at the house of J. J. Croll. it was resolved to form an English Lutheran Church, and Rov. H. W. Roth and J. J. Croll were appointed to prepare a constitution. During the spring of 1575, a house of worship was erected, and June 23. 1578, it was dodi- cated with a sermon by Rev. W. A. Passavant, D. D .. of Pittsburgh. June 24. the constitution was ac- cepted. Rev. H. W. Roth was the first pastor, sne- ceeded by Rev. G. W. Critehlow. The congregation was organized with twenty two members, and now has thirty nine.
WEST LIBERTY M. E. CHUTII,
This church was organized in 1873 with a small membership, by Rev. J. M. Foster. A substantial church building was erected immediately after the or- ganization. The present membership (October, 1982) is thirty two. The church is a part of the Centre- ville Circuit.
WEST LIBERTY U. P CHURCH.
This church was organized in September, 1975. ( out Johnson, and in 1878 moved to the place where J. C. Murtland now keeps store. Mr. Murtland com- meneed business here in 1879.
and is now in quite a flourishing condition. Rev. W. P. Shaw is the present pastor. A house of wor- ship, comfortable and convenient. has been erected since the organization of the church.
ST. JOHN M. E. CHURCH.
A Methodist organization was formed many years ayo at Hickory Mills, in Slippery Roek Township. After it died out, Jesse Hall, one of its leading mem- bers, projected, and carried to successful completion. the organization now known as St. John's Church Revs. Hays, Hicks and John Crum were the first who preached in the neighborhood. The latter formed a class. Jesse Hall acted as leader and exhorter when there was no minister present. In 186S, the house of worship was erected. From a small beginning the church has increased to a membership of 1334. It belongs to Centreville Circuit.
WEST LIBERTY.
This little village. in the western part of Brady Township, contains four churches, three stores. one blacksmith shop, two shoe-maker shops, and one har- ness shop. The lots were laid ont in 1545, by Jacob and John Covert, on their lands.
J. J. Croll was the first merchant in the place. He now owns a large farm, and lives at Croll's mill.
West Liberty Post office was established in 1866. Postmasters - Jonathan CIutton. John Allen, John Kocher and W. W. Robinson.
MILLS,
Smith Neil, as early as 1810. built a grist-mill.
afterward known as the Hoge Mill, on MeDeavitt's Run. It was afterward owned by Nicholas Klingen- smith, then by the Hoges.
A man named Iddings built a grist-mill on Brown's Run at about the same date. Henry Evans, John Wick. Caleb Jones and Samuel Turk were subsequent owners. Neither of these mills have been in opera- tion for many years.
STORES AND POST OFFICES.
Previous to 1920, Jonathan McMillan and a man known as Col. Micker kopt store here near where the Stone House now is. The next store at the same point was started by Henry Purivance. Doneaster. the landlord, and others had a store there later.
Joseph Donaghy kept store on his farm a number of years.
Some twenty-five years ago. Eyth Brothers kept store at the Forest House. The store was discontinued for some years. then re-established in 1870 by Me- Dermott, succeeded by JJohnson. J. H. Lyon bought
The first post office in the township was at the Stone House. When or by whom it was established, there is no means of ascertaining. Brownington was the name of the office. It was discontinued abont 1870.
Forest Post Office, at the Forest House, was in ex- istence many years. It was discontinued some years before Brownington. In 1873. Elora Post Office (then Memphis) was established.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The schools of pioneer days were all conducted on the tuition plan. and ahnost any cabin or shelter was deemed suitable for a schoolhouse. After the free schools were organized. more comfortable log- buildings were erected and used as schoolhouses. Then. after Brady Township was organized. old-fash ioned octagonal frame buildings, some of which are still standing, wore built. In nothing has there been more conspienons changes than in schoolhouses and schools, comparing the early days with the present.
About ISOS, Henry Evans, an Irishman, taught school near where Henry Miller now lives. Master Fletcher also taught near Muddy Creek Church.
An carly school was taught in a small log build- ing which stood near where Nicholas Weitzell's stable now is, at West Liberty. Thomas Gorley, an Irish- man, of drinking habits, taught there several winters. When he was in liquor he became a veritable " terror to evil doers and little boys."
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
BIOGRAPINCAL SKETCHES.
REV. SAMUEL WILLIAMS.
Samuel Williams was born in Venango County, Penn., October 25. 1820 Carefully instructed by good and intelligent parents in religious truth, he formed in early lite habits of industry and temperance, while principles of honesty and self. respeet became indelibly fixed upon his character. He attended the common schools, and formed such studions habits that he mado excellent progress; when a mere youth he began teaching, with good success. He continued to teach during winter and worked at other employments in summer until he had earned and seenred funds sufficient to meet the expense of a
collegiate education. His mind had long been im- pressed with the duty of proparing himself for the Gospel ministry; and with that object in view he entered Washington College, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of November, 1849. After a pleasant and snc- cessful course of four years, he was graduated Septem- ber 21. 1853, having the honor of delivering the valedictory oration of his class.
The day after his graduation, Mr. Williams entered the Western Theological Seminary, at Alle- gheny City, Penn., where he pursued a three years' course in theology, and was gradnated on the 7th of May, 1856. June 15, 1856, he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Allegheny (now Butler); on the same day he was engaged by the churches of Centreville and Muddy Crock to serve as supply until the next meeting of the Presbytery, and at once entered upon the work. On the 5th of November, following, he received and accepted calls to be pastor of these churches, each church to receive one half of his labor. He was ordained and installed pastor of Centreville Church, April 11, 1857: and installed pastor of Muddy Creek Church, May 23. of the same year. This relation continued with mutual satisfaction for thirteen years. During that time both churches had so increased that each desired the whole of the pastor's time, and presented calls to the Pres- bytery to secure it. Mr. Williams accordingly resigned the charge of Centreville, and for eight and one half years devoted the whole of his time to Muddy Creek congregation. In the meantime, a portion of the latter congregation having withdrawn to organize the Unionville Church, Mr. Williams was called to its pastorate and since January 1, 1878, has divided his time equally between the two congrega- tions. Mr. Williams' career as a minister of the Gospel has been in the main a happy and succesful one. He is held in grateful esteem by the people in whose behalf he has labored so long and faithfully.
The aggregate number added to the several charges during his pastorate would exceed six hundred, and notwithstanding continual losses by deaths and removals, the churches are greatly increased in etli- cieney and usefulness in every department of Christian work.
CHAPTER AL.
FAIRVIEW.
The Pioneers-Disadvantages under which They Labored The Wallace, Sunth, Wilson and Campbell Families-Effects of the Oil Excite- ment-History of Fairview-Prtroha-Karns Cy- Floods, Fires and Casualties
EMIRVIEW TOWNSHIP was originally a part of Donegal. Both townships were inneh reduced in size by the division of ISal. Fairview was settled early, but its population was sparse and the work of improvement slow. The early settlers of the north- eastern part of Butler County labored under great disadvantages. Remote from any long established settlement, they were obliged to make long journeys through the wilderness, either on foot or on horse- back, as often as they found it necessary to visit mills, stores or blacksmiths' shops. There was no market for the seanty produce of their land, and as the pioneers were generally but seantily supplied with money, the men were frequently obliged to return to the neighborhoods from which they had emigrated, in order to find work that would earn the means of keeping want from their families. Neighbors shared in the prosperity of one another, and willingly lent. helping hands in adversity. They almost universally lived in strict obedience to the Scriptural command- " Bear ye one another's burdens." No nobler senti- ment than disinterested generosity ever found place in the human breast, and the consciousness of this truth seems to have been over present in the minds of the pioneers. IF some of the selfishness of the present day could be replaced by the open-hearted. generous principles that animated our forefathers, the world would certainly be better for the change.
Perhaps the first settler in this part of the county was Sammel Wallace. About . the year 1795. he crossed the Allegheny River, and made his way throngh the woods to a point on Bear Creek, a short distance above the spot where Karns City now stands. Here he made a small clearing, and erected a rude cabin. This cabin became the headquarters of the pioneers, who, within the next few years, came to effect settlements in its vicinity. Many of them camo alone, currying an ax and a rifle. After selecting a spot for a farm. they erected a cabin, then returned to the older settlements for their families, and brought
THOMAS HAYS.
THOMAS HAYS
The lays family are of Irish extraction. George Hays, grandfather of the subject of this biography. was born in Ireland. and came to this country about 1820. He settled in Armstrong County. on the farm where Thomas was born. He died shortly after he came to this country. Robert Hays, son of George Hays, mar- ried Deborah J. MeKee, and reared a family of seven sons and two daughters. lle resided on the old farm in Armstrong County until 1874. when he came to But- ler County. where he died three years later. He was a successful farmer, and acquired a comfortable com- peteney. His wife is still living.
Thomas Hays, the subject of this biography, was born January 19, 1840 : spent his boyhood days on the farm with his father. lle acquired a good common school education, and at the age of twenty-one enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was engaged in all the battles during the Peninsula campaign-siege of Suffolk, Cold Harbor, Richmond and Petersburg, and by reason of expiration of term of service was discharged : re-enlisted in Company L. Fourth United States Artillery. and served in the army of the Potomac. At the close of the
MRS. THOMAS HAYS.
war. he returned to his home In 1865, he was married to Miss Kesia J .. daughter of Christopher A. Foster, of Middlesex. Armstrong County. She was born in Sugar Creek Township March 27. 1841. The Foster family are also of Irish descent. Christopher A was a thrifty farmer. After some years in that occupation, he en- gagod in the mercantile business. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hays Jennie L., Christopher F .. Robert N .. Mand B . Thomas 11., Charles F. W. Hays. In the year of 1867. Mr. Hays bought a farm in Fair- view Township, now known as the Haysville Farm. Since that time, he has bought other pieces of land. so that at the present time he is the owner of five or six hundred aeres of land He is one of the successful farmers of Butler County, and is engaged at the present time in the oil producing business. He is an ardent Republican, and has served acceptably positions of trust and responsibility, at all times using his influence for the cause of education, and protection to American in- dustry, and is a great lover of his country, and believes that it is a Nation, and should be spelled with a large V. He is slow to resent a wrong but never forgets one who befriends him
JENKINS FARM.
HAYSVILLE FARM.
RESIDENCE OF
THOMAS HAYS.
.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
their wives and children and small possessions hither bersburg with pack horses, to procure salt and gro- on pack horses.
One of the first to enjoy the hospitality of the Wallace cabin was Joseph Smith. He came from Westmoreland County in 1796, and selected land. The following year he cleared a small picee and erected a cabin a short distaner west of the site of Fairview. In 1798, he moved his family to their new home. The same year a son was born to Mr. , of the animals. Turkeys were often seen in flocks of and Mrs. Smith, and named John. He became a local preacher of the Methodist denomination, and was widely known for his earnest labors in behalf of the church in this part of the country.
The Bear Creek neighborhood was settled quite rapidly. Among the pioneers were John Craig, William Wilson, William Ray, Paul McDermott, John Campbell and Alexander Storey. the most of whom located within the territory now comprised in Fairview Township.
Of John Craig, the following anecdote is related: He remained away from church one Sabbath, and the preacher -Mr. Johnson-meeting him afterward, in. quired the reason. Mr. Craig explained that he had to watch the cattle, to keep them from his grain. "But," asked Mr. Johnson, "Could you not trust that matter to Providence?" " What!" exclaimed Craig in astonishment, "would you have me make a cow -herd of Providence?" In plowing. Craig used a cow and a horse hitched side by side.
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